Meanings of 螫
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About 螫
Podcast: 螫
Podcast: 螫
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AI Study Notes for 螫
蜇 (zhē) - use 螫 (shì) when emphasizing the act of stinging, while 蜇 (zhē) often refers to the sting itself or the condition of being stung.
Imagine a bee stinging you, and the pain is so sharp that it feels like a 'shhh' sound escapes your lips as you react. The character 螫 has the radical for 'insect' (虫) which connects it to the concept of stinging insects, while the pronunciation 'shì' can remind you of the hissing sound of a bee.
Be careful not to confuse 螫 with similar-sounding words. It is more formal and specific than colloquial terms like 'sting.' Common collocations include 螫伤 (shìshāng - sting injury) and 螫虫 (shìchóng - stinging insect). Watch out for the tone, as mispronouncing could alter the meaning.
Although 螫 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to HSK vocabulary about animals and nature. Focus on recognizing the insect radical and the context in which it is used, as it may appear in more advanced texts discussing ecology or health.
In Chinese culture, the sting of insects is often associated with traditional medicine, where certain stings are believed to have medicinal properties. The awareness of venomous creatures is also a part of rural life, and many people share anecdotes about encounters with stinging insects.
Learners often confuse 螫 with similar words like 扎 (zhā), which also means 'to sting' but can refer to a sharper, more puncturing action. For example, saying '我被针扎了' (Wǒ bèi zhēn zhā le - I was pricked by a needle) instead of using 螫 when discussing stinging insects is incorrect.
Pronunciation of 螫
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Etymology of 螫
insect
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 螫?
Decomposition of 螫
Identify the Components
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Write 螫
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Practice writing 螫 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 螫
螫 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
蜜甜蜂____人.
Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.
Example Sentences for 螫 (2)
Reorder the Sentence
Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.
Cultural Notes for 螫
In Chinese culture, the sting of insects is often associated with traditional medicine, where certain stings are believed to have medicinal properties. The awareness of venomous creatures is also a part of rural life, and many people share anecdotes about encounters with stinging insects.
In Western cultures, the focus on stings often emphasizes allergic reactions and medical responses, while in China, there's a more nuanced view that can include traditional remedies.
Word Family of 螫
Compound Meaning
What does 螫 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 螫
Common insects that use 螫 include wasps, bees, and certain ants, all of which can deliver painful stings.